Mrs. Marcelita C. Pascual

Mrs. Marcelita C. Pascual

She only has three children, but every year, she is a “mommy” to fourth year students at the High School Department.

“Nobody gets rich in teaching, but I feel so rich because of students who often call me Mommy Marcy,” says Mrs. Marcelita Cafe Pascual, who teaches English at the School of Basic Education.

Marcy, as she is fondly called by her peers, draws motivation from her students. Her smile and caring personality make every student easily warm up to her. She is like a mother to them — strict when it comes to priorities in class but very understanding in one's pursuit of personal development. Being able to meet former students who are now successful professionals, and be called mother, pumps up that inspiration that makes her all the more develop that love for teaching.

Marcy graduated with a degree in Agribusiness in Silliman in 1978. Following graduation, she worked as a sales manager at the College of Agriculture, which operates the Silliman Farm. Thinking that her responsibilities were more than what she could give, she decided to resign.

Resigning ushered in a turning point for her. It was through this decision that she encountered her first experience in teaching. She was invited to teach for a semester at the College of Agriculture. She realized that it was teaching that she wanted. From there on, she knew where she was headed. To further equip herself, she enrolled at the College of Education and took up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in English.

Marcy could have taken up a course in education that was closer to her first undergraduate: Technology and Livelihood Education. But she shares that going for English was her way to revisit her first love: reading books, acting and directing plays. (In fact, she pursued Speech and Theater Arts in her first semester, and had starred in plays: The Blood Wedding, Wanted: A Chaperon and Tea. She also had the chance to work with great mentors in theater: Amiel Leonardia, Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee for Theater, Lu Decenteceo and the late Evelyn Aldecoa.) She knew that there were many opportunities for her to uncover more her artistic side as an English major.

After obtaining her degree in Secondary Education in 1992, she was accepted for a teaching position at the High School Department. She was too focused on teaching that she recalls losing weight. “I lost weight during my first year of teaching because I was so concerned about accomplishing what I needed to do each day. But I gradually accepted that there is a right timing for everything.”

For Marcy, being with Silliman is her way of giving back for the tuition privileges she enjoyed. Her father was an employee at the Buildings and Grounds Department, and this allowed her and her siblings to complete their degrees in the University at minimal costs.

Her campus experience, and present employment, has enabled her to experience in full genuine Silliman Spirit at work. She remembers arriving at the Davao airport with students for the National Schools Press Conference. The driver mistook them for another delegation and brought them to the wrong billeting place. Upon arrival, Marcy realized the arrangement was for the delegation from Leyte. She apologized and introduced themselves as the team from Silliman. When the person in charge learned that they were from Silliman, she immediately introduced them to the school administrators that managed the place. It turned out many of them were Sillimanians. Instead of them being brought to another billeting area, they were made to stay and were afforded special treatment — with the privilege of free board and lodging.

Marcy is married to Luis Jose. They are blessed with three children: Mary Louise, Luis Manuel and Lady December. Both Mary and Luis Manuel graduated with a degree in Management, and are now teachers in Thailand. Lady, who completed a degree in Mass Communication, is now taking up some units at the College of Education.

“I feel fulfilled as a mother and as a teacher. At this point, I would love to feel how it is to be a grandmother,” says Marcy, hinting at wanting one of her children to already give her a grandchild.

Let's get to know Marcy more.

Describe yourself in three words.Simple. Motherly. Loving.

What is your mantra in life?“Live today as if it were your last.”

What makes you laugh/cry?I laugh at my husband and my son’s jokes, and sometimes because of the bloopers I make. I cry when I see sad scenes in the movies.

What’s your favorite time/day of the week and why?I love Fridays because I don’t have class schedules on that day.

What do you love doing when not working?I would do the household chores.

What is your favorite hangout place in the University?Main Library.

What makes you blush?I would normally blush when teased that I look younger, or whenever I'm given a compliment.

If you were an actor/actress, who would you be?Just myself.

Tell us a fact about yourself?I love to act in stage plays.

What’s your favorite game growing up?“Sud-sud” and high jump.

What is your idea of a relaxing day?Sit at my husband’s bistro, eat, sing or listen to the music of Air Supply, Bread, Michael Jackson, Abba, Carpenters, America, Josh Groban, Journey and Kenny G.

What one thing would people be interested to know about you?I want to learn how to play the piano.

What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?“When the Going Gets Tough”

What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?Pray.

What’s your idea of a family?Being there for each other through thick and thin.